G7 leaders agree to explore price cap on Russian oil

The G7 leaders have agreed to explore price caps to reduce soaring oil prices instigated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

A price cap is an economic regulation that establishes an upper limit on the prices of a particular commodity or service.

The leaders are from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. 

The development is on the heels of numerous sanctions on Russia to weaken the economic position of the Kremlin. 

In a communiqué issued after the leaders’ meeting in Elmau, Germany, on Tuesday, the leaders said the action would also help guarantee energy supply.

The price cap is motivated by concerns that Russia is benefiting from high energy prices despite its war in Ukraine.

Crude oil prices have soared above $100 a barrel since the war started.

“We will take immediate action to secure energy supply and reduce price surges driven by extraordinary market conditions, including by exploring additional measures such as price caps,” the communiqué reads.

“We reaffirm our commitment to phase out our dependency on Russian energy, without compromising on our climate and environmental goals.”

The group also said they would continue to impose severe and enduring costs on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. 

“Beyond its direct implications, Russia’s aggression is impeding the global recovery and dramatically worsening energy security and access to food globally,” the leaders said. 

“To this end, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our unprecedented coordination on sanctions for as long as necessary, acting in unison at every stage, and will reduce Russia’s revenues, including from gold.”

On Sunday, the leaders had announced plans to ban the import of Russian gold to intensify sanctions on the Kremlin.